Title:           Applejack's Funeral
Author:          Storm-mlp
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/GE60BaHW
First Edit:      Sunday 3rd of August 2014 01:09:05 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Sunday 3rd of August 2014 01:09:05 PM CDT

Applejack's Funeral
 
By Anonymous
 
> Applejack's funeral was four days ago
> All of Ponyville turned out to bid farewell to the Element of Honesty
> You were no exception
> All of the Apples from near and far came to pay their respects and give their condolences to Big Mac and Applebloom
> The image of Applebloom weeping is now etched permanently into your mind; you try not to think about it
> Applejack's funeral was four days ago
> All of Ponyville turned out to bid farewell to the Element of Honesty
> You were no exception
> All of the Apples from near and far came to pay their respects and give their condolences to Big Mac and Applebloom
> The image of Applebloom weeping is now etched permanently into your mind; you try not to think about it
> Go to the store to buy some supplies
> Ponies are saying that some distant relations of Applejack will be moving here soon to keep Sweet Apple Acres going
> You aren't sure how to feel about that, but Big Mac can't handle the place alone and Applebloom is too young to fill in for Applejack
> You finish your purchases and walk toward home
> As you pass the river, you spy a small pony sitting on a bench alone, looking sadly at the river
> She has a familiar red hairtie in her mane
> Cautiously, you approach
> Applebloom doesn't look up as you set your bag down and take a seat next to her
"Hey."
> "Hey Anon..."
> You didn't really say much to her on the day of the funeral as there were so many family members wishing to speak to her
> You regret not doing so now
"... how are you holding up?"
> "Ah... ah don't know. Ah can't believe she's gone, Anon. Ah miss her so much."
> ... fuck.
"Yeah. Me too."
> Applebloom shifts a little but doesn't look up at you
> "She cared about ya, Anon."
"And I cared about her, Applebloom. We were friends."
> She shakes her head
> "That's not what I was gettin' at... she... she really liked ya."
> ... what?
> "Whenever we were at home together, she'd go on an' on aboutcha. Where you'd gone, what you'd done... she never talked about nopony like she did about you."
> Wait... no.
> Your innards turn to ice and your mouth opens as the words come together
> She doesn't stop to give you a moment to come to terms with what she is telling you
> "There was meant ta be another reunion comin' up in a little while, an'... an' she kept sayin' she wanted ta introduce ya to tha family... she'd planned ta ask yer out before then… real soon. Every night she'd come inside an' worry an' fuss that ya wouldn't like her that way... thatcha liked someone else, or that she wasn't pretty enough for ya… ah never saw her actin’ like that before.”
> Applebloom looks up at the sky
> her eyes are brimming with tears
> “I… I was rootin’ for ya both, too… but… but now she’s…”
> The tears begin rolling down her cheeks
> “She’s…”
> She can’t speak anymore, bawling openly
> Your hands are cold
> They shake as the truth takes away the bottom of your stomach, leaving a gnawing cavern of horror
> Applejack liked you
> Maybe she even loved you
> And she was going to be brave and tell you
> But now, she’s gone
 
> Shivering, your own tears silently spilling down your face, you reach out to hug Applebloom close
> She weeps into your shirt, the tears damping the material almost immediately
> “Why?! Why do ah lose everypony that’s important?! WHY?!”
> You can offer no response
> But right here, you feel her pain so acutely it hurts
> You hold Applebloom. Long after she stops screaming her lament. Long after she stops trembling. Long after the sun gives way to a starry night.
> Because in this terrible moment, you both need each other to be there
> To feel the same pain
 
> To miss Applejack
 
> You end up taking Apple Bloom home to your house
> By the time either of you are ready to move it is very late, and the cold wind is picking up
> Apple Bloom doesn't want to go home
> "That house is empty all th' time now. Big Mac works all day, an' he goes straight t' bed as soon as he gets in."
> You guess he has his work cut out for him until help from the rest of the Apples arrives
> Opening the door to your house, you put your groceries in the kitchen
> Milk is probably not in the best condition after these hours
> "Here, let me help some."
> You start unloading the paper bags in mostly silence broken by the odd 'here' or 'thanks'
> The sound of cans placed on shelves fills the house
> You hate how aware of that fact you are
"... what about Granny Smith? How's she holding up?"
> Apple Bloom sighs
> "Better than most of us. She's... well, she's no stranger to losin' family."
> Makes sense
> You reach down to take some peaches off her hooves but none are offered
> Apple Bloom is staring off into space, holding the can
> She shakes her head slowly
> Kneeling, you rest your hand on her mane
"You okay?"
> Of course she's not fucking okay, idiot
> You wince internally
> No response
> Gently you take the can of peaches and look at it distantly
"Hungry?"
> Apple Bloom snaps out of it a little, enough to nod
> You put the can on the table and get to work locating the can opener
> The peaches find their way to two plates
> As you place Apple Bloom's plate in front of her, she looks around the room
> "Ah have ta admit, yer house is a bit different than I imagined."
> You realise she's never been here before
> It surprises you, since Applejack came around quite a bit
"Different?"
> Apple Bloom backtracks her statement, but merely looks tired instead of apologetic
> "Ah didn't mean it in a bad way, Anon. Just... Applejack always said you were workin' on something over here. Them benches, fer example."
> She gestures to the counters you made for yourself
> You nod, swallowing the peach slice before speaking
"Yeah, well... when I first got here I kinda focused on my house. Working on things like that helped me... deal with everything. I had a goal, instead of nothing."
> "... what was that like, losin' everything?"
"Terrifying. More than I thought it would be."
> You answer truthfully
> Silence for a few moments
"If your sister hadn't helped out as much as she had, I'm not sure I'd have settled in so well."
> Apple Bloom smiles
> "Applejack always loved talkin' about what you were workin' on. She said you were gettin' better, and ah can see you're pretty handy now."
> You scoff, smiling too as she takes some peach off her plate
> At least you know she's eaten today
> You yawn almost at the same time as Apple Bloom
> Both of you look at the other afterwards
> "... can you sleep, Anon?"
> You hadn't been sleeping well before, but now? Knowing what you know about Applejack?
> You shake your head
"No."
> Apple Bloom pushes the syrupy plate away with a sigh
> "Ah ain't sleepin' these nights."
> You'd be surprised if she could. They were the closest of sisters from a loving family
> Getting up from your chair, you decide the dishes can fend for themselves on the table until tomorrow
> Apple Bloom watches you round the table, silent
> Exhaling, you begin
 
"Apple Bloom. Thank you for telling me about Applejack's feelings."
> She closes her eyes sadly
> "Ah... ah didn't know if it was right... but you deserved ta know th' truth, Anon. You were special to... to Applejack."
"... and I had no idea."
> You grit your teeth, hating yourself for not knowing
> Apple Bloom's eyes snap to you, hearing your tone
> She looks upset
> "It's alright Anon... you had a whole lot on yer mind, what with bein' new here."
> But was it really alright?
> You rub your eyes miserably
"I should have known. I'm just... I was never good at that stuff."
> Apple Bloom raises a hoof, touching your arm
> "It's alright. Applejack liked that about ya."
It was a small gesture, but you appreciate her saying that
"Thank you."
> Your voice is hoarse as your eyes redden
> Apple Bloom closes her eyes and tries to stop her emotion, but her deep inhale is wavering
> "Anon... she loved you. And ah know that... that in th' end, you would've found one another. As far as ah'm concerned... that makes ya an Apple."
> For the second time today, you draw Apple Bloom close
> But this time, it is your tears which dampen her hide
 
===
 
> Around midnight, it starts to rain
> You don't think too hard about why rain would be scheduled for this time
> It's kind of welcome, breaking the resounding silence of the house
> You'd had no words for each other, and the quiet was cloying like smoke
> You'd regretted not having music to fill the void like when you were back home on earth
> It was strange, that something so simple could comfort
> True to prediction, neither you nor Apple Bloom were tired
> You sat next to the pony on the couch, an arm around her, idly stroking her mane
> Both of you took comfort in this reminder that you weren't alone
> "... Anon?"
> Her voice is raspy and dry
"Yeah?"
> "Do y'have ta work tomorrow?"
> She doesn't look up at you
"Yeah, but not until late. I don't have any orders, just making what I think I can sell. I can do that any time."
> She's quiet for a spell
> The sound of rain on your tin roof fills the void until she stirs, sitting up
> Quietly, she looks into your eyes
> "... ah haven't been ta visit since the funeral..."
> Oh. Fuck, man
> You can only imagine how hard she must be on herself for not having the courage to go
“Apple Bloom… that’s okay. Applejack would understand.”
> Her eyes droop to the floor momentarily before looking back to yours
> "Please come with me t' visit her. Ah think she'd like that."
> The thought of going to Applejack's grave makes lead in your stomach
> But she was your friend
"... okay. We can get some flowers in the morning... did she have any she liked in particular?"
> Something else you didn't know about her
> "She loved the wildflowers that grow jus' out of town."
> You close your eyes, hand going still
> You had been prepared to buy some flowers, but picking a few seemed a far better idea
> You sit frozen for the longest time
> 3am
> A head moves to rest on your leg
> "Anon?"
"Yeah?"
> "Thanks for stoppin' and seein' if ah was alright today... ah'm glad you're here with me."
> You're not sure she understands how much you needed someone here with you right now yourself
"And I'm glad you're here too, Apple Bloom."
> You stroke her mane, listening to the rain until Apple Bloom falls asleep
> Outside, the sun has started to illuminate a dreary Ponyville
> 5:30am
> Your body slowly starts to relent as you put your arm around Apple Bloom
> Sleep finally comes for you
 
===
 
> It is afternoon before you can bring yourself to get up
> Funny, the drowsiness of waking up used to be a comfort in many ways
> But now it’s just another time that your idle mind can find new thoughts to dig at you with
> You remember a time when you’d purchased some tools to do up this dingy shack
> Applejack had helped you take stock of your home, prioritize jobs
> This one midday, you were at the end of all that planning
> You had strapped on a toolbelt and were standing amid your house, sizing it up like an opponent
> Applejack had smiled and told you that you looked ready to show it who was who
> You didn’t see it at the time, but your mind’s eye sees warm affection in her gaze as you recall the joy you found in such wholesome work
> Your eyes open, noting that the rain is over
> Gritting your teeth, you wonder if she really did see you like that even then or if it is your dreams playing off what Apple Bloom told you yesterday
> You lurch forward and power into a groggy stand
> Fuck that memory for not even allowing you a moment of respite
> You walk toward the bathroom to wash your face before realising the shower is running
> Makes sense
> You fight the urge to ask how she’s doing
> Turning heel, you go to the kitchen and look through the fridge
> You don’t want to cook
> After downing a large tumbler of milk before determining that yes, it had gone bad while you both were at the riverbank, you give up
> “Ah… Anon? Do y’have a towel ah could borrow?”
> Feeling queasy, you quest to your linen closet and grab a blue fleecy bundle
> The towels you have were a gift from Rarity long ago
> You walk to the bathroom, hearing the shower had stopped
> The door is open
> Apple Bloom stands drip drying on your tiles, her ribbon on your towel rack and her mane soaked
> Her eyes are dark and bagged
> She sees you entering and attempts a smile
> It makes it to a mouth that is a straight line
> “Much obliged.”
> You ready to leave, but it seems it doesn’t really matter
> It’s not like her without clothes is anything abnormal
> You sit on the side of the bath
“How did you sleep?”
> “Ah didn’t dream any, if that’s what y’mean.”
> You wish you could say the same
“Well, that’s something.”
> You give her the towel before your gaze turns to the mirror
> … Jesus, you look like a wreck
> Between the stubble, the obvious lack of sleep and the stained clothes you look pretty pathetic
“Wow.”
> “Ah’ll let y’have the shower in a bit.”
> You groan for a moment
“You should eat before we go. Have whatever you want, just… not the milk.”
> Her mane and tail dried most the way, Apple Bloom stared blankly at her ribbon
> “… okay.”
> You stand next to her reassuringly
“Apple Bloom. It’ll be alright.”
> She slowly leans into you
> “Ah know.”
 
===
 
> Apple trees sway in a gentle breeze as you both arrive at the Apple funerary plot
> It is a quiet, peaceful place in a tucked away corner of Sweet Apple Acres
> The sun shines down on the graves warmly
> Applejack’s tombstone still gleamed, apple tree sapling respectfully behind the grave
> ‘Applejack – Element of Honesty’
> Above, her cutie mark
> Your hand tightens slightly around the bouquet of wildflowers
“It’s very simple.”
> The simplicity was very like her
> She knew she was loved, so it didn’t warrant being put onto her headstone
> “That’s the Apple way. My ma an’ pa are the same, Anon.”
> She gestures to two older headstones close to Applejack’s own, both similar
> You look across them before seeing if Apple Bloom was ready
> Before you came here, she had insisted on stopping in at the farmhouse for her very best hair ribbon
> It was subtly different to what she usually used
> You yourself were wearing a classic suit
 
> Granny Smith had been downstairs, cooking some baked food when you both arrived
> While usually she wasn’t too coherent in your experience, she seemed relieved that her granddaughter had ended up at your home last night
> While Apple Bloom had gone upstairs, she served you some apple cobbler
> “A hurtin’ heart needs t’ eat too, misser.”
> You hadn’t seen Big Macintosh, although it stood to reason
> The farm hadn’t stopped, after all
> After bidding her farewell, you picked up Applejack’s bouquet from the counter and looked for Apple Bloom, eventually finding her out next to the kennel
> Apple Bloom had tried to get Winona out of bed to say hello, but Applejack’s dog gave a whine and refused to move
> Depressed by the scene, you’d followed the smallest Apple to her sister
 
===
 
> Apple Bloom nods to herself
> “… alright. It’s time.”
> Slowly you approach the grave
> The wind changes direction once more, a leaf breezing past idly
> For a moment she falters, but you reassure her with a look and a nod
> Slowing her breathing, she speaks
> “Applejack, it’s… it’s me. Ah’m sorry that I haven’t been out t’see ya, ah… ah needed time ta figure things out, is all... ah miss you so much that it hurts.”
> Her voice trembles a little but she goes on
> “We all miss ya. Granny, an’ big Mac, an’ Winona, an’ me. And Anon, too. He’s… ah told him how y’felt about him. Ah know y’would have done it yerself, but… but ya…”
> She sniffles once, before tearily looking into your eyes
> “It ain’t fair…”
> No. It’s not.
“No, it’s not.”
> You want to say more, but you don’t know what you could say
> In many ways, you’re just as adrift and lost as Apple Bloom
> Leaving her side, you walk to the headstone and run your fingers across the sun-warmed cutie mark
> Your insides grow cold as you do, as if the grave were sapping your spirit
> She genuinely loved you
> Something that you had never really had before
> And you only found out after it was too late
> Deep down, you know you’ll never forgive yourself
> Reverently you kneel and place the bouquet on the grave
> Your wonderful, irreplaceable friend
> Did you ever tell her how much she meant to you?
“Applejack… thank you for everything. When I arrived, I was lost and miserable. You gave me a direction and stood with me when I needed someone constant in my life. I could always rely upon you for anything, and would have done anything for you in a heartbeat.”
> Apple Bloom inhaled a teary breath as you closed your eyes, fighting your sorrow
“You were a truly beautiful pony. From you, I learned much about life. I’m sad that you had to leave us when you had so much more to give the world, but am honoured to have been such a part of your life. Thank you, Applejack. I’ll always love you.”
> Apple Bloom comes close, putting a hoof on your knee reassuringly
> “Anon…”
> Tears quietly roll down your cheeks as you embrace her for a long moment
> She’s doing her best to be brave
> You let her be the one to let go first
> Slowly at first, you both reminisce about Applejack
> She tells you of how she was everything a big sister should be
> You tell her stories that made you proud to have been her friend
> At times, you both even laugh
> Eventually, the sun turns the sky marmalade and the shadows grow long
> Without a word, you both know it is time to go
> Apple Bloom looks up at you, a faint smile on her face
> “Thanks fer comin’ with me today, Anon. It means th’ world to me.”
> You return her smile
“It was my privilege, Apple Bloom.”
> Slowly you leave the graves and head back to the ranch to make dinner with the Apples
> As you pass around the bend, you spare one last look back and smile at your friend
 
> Goodbye, sugarcube